Xu Xiao'e led the twins, who had eaten their fill, back and sat down beside Xu shi and Shen Cheng.
Shen Xiaoyan carefully observed the family of five. Even though Xu Xiao'e had been brought by Xu shi, she still felt they were truly a family.
This had nothing to do with their looks, but rather because their unreasonable behavior was identical.
Shen Xiaoyan walked to the side and stood with Zheng Wei. They looked at each other without speaking, but both could tell from the other's gaze that their thoughts were the same.
After about half an hour, Shen Xiaoming ran back, out of breath.
Shen Xiaoming ran directly to Shen Xiaoyan and Zheng Wei, catching his breath for a moment before saying, "Sister, Eldest Brother-in-law, the village chief and the others are behind, they'll be here soon."
Shen Xiaoyan nodded, telling Shen Xiaoming to sit down and rest. She herself walked to the melon patch, picked a striped melon, and walked back.
"There are still ripe ones?" Zheng Wei asked, looking at the striped melon in Shen Xiaoyan's arms, puzzled.
Didn't the striped melon that was ripe just now get taken away by Lu Taobao?
"Oh, this one can be eaten too," Shen Xiaoyan said with an embarrassed chuckle. She couldn't possibly say that she had secretly ripened it herself when she picked it just now.
Fortunately, she had been careful and walked further into the striped melon patch, so Zheng Wei didn't notice anything amiss.
Under the milk fruit trellis, a set of tables and chairs was placed. Shen Xiaoyan took a cutting board and a knife from the kitchen and placed them on the table.
Just as she finished putting things away, nine people entered through the main gate.
Leading the group was the village chief, Bai Yonggui, whom Shen Xiaoyan had met once before.
Behind Bai Yonggui were mostly older men.
Seeing the group enter, Shen Xiaoyan and Zheng Wei quickly went to greet them.
"Greetings, Village Chief, greetings, esteemed elders," Shen Xiaoyan said with a smile, noticing Zheng Wei pursing his lips and remaining silent. She then led the group to their seats.
After the village chief and the others were seated, Shen Xiaoyan cut the striped melon into pieces and handed them out to everyone.
"...These are fruit seeds that the master happened to buy, called striped melons. Who knew they would actually grow. Not only are they delicious, but the yield is also quite high," Shen Xiaoyan said, then urged everyone to eat quickly.
Shen Cheng and Xu shi did not receive any invitations from Shen Xiaoyan. Seeing that no one gave them any, they were too embarrassed to take one in front of the village chief and could only exchange glances with Xu Xiao'e.
Xu Xiao'e whispered a few words to the twins, and the two children stood up and ran to the table.
The striped melon Shen Xiaoyan picked was not small. Even if nine people each got one piece, there were still seven pieces left on the table.
The twins ran forward, each taking two pieces, and then ran back to Shen Cheng and Xu shi.
After handing the striped melons in their hands to Xu shi, Shen Cheng, and Xu Xiao'e, they quickly ran back and took away the remaining three pieces.
Shen Xiaoyan didn't get angry when she saw this. After all, this was the last time.
After Bai Yonggui and the others finished eating the striped melons in their hands, they nodded to each other. They had to admit, they were indeed delicious. Although they all knew that striped melons had been selling very well in town for the past half month, one catty of striped melon cost more than twenty li, and one striped melon weighed at least seven or eight catties. They couldn't buy them by the slice. Spending over a hundred li to buy a striped melon to try was something they were reluctant to do.
However, it was unexpected that these striped melons were grown by Shen Xiaoyan and Zheng Wei, and they were invited to eat them today. What was the reason?
The few of them looked at each other, and finally, Bai Yonggui spoke up, "Zheng Wei, Zheng Wei's wife, may I ask what business you have calling us here today?"
Shen Xiaoyan did not answer directly but instead asked, "Village Chief, what do you think of growing striped melons?"
Bai Yonggui paused, then said, "Very good."
Although he said it casually, Bai Yonggui did not think so in his heart. This was more than just good; it was extremely profitable. However, as the village chief, he still had to maintain some composure.
Shen Xiaoyan smiled and continued, "Village Chief, esteemed elders, my husband and I have discussed it. We are willing to give the seeds and planting methods of striped melons to the village free of charge, and we can also help you raise seedlings for free. By next year, we hope that everyone in the village can grow striped melons and earn money together."
Hearing Shen Xiaoyan's words, Bai Yonggui and the others were all greatly surprised. They truly did not expect Shen Xiaoyan to offer such a great favor to the village.
However, before Bai Yonggui and the others could react, Shen Cheng beside them exploded, "You wicked girl, what nonsense are you talking about? Those are my family's seeds, how can you just give them away for free?"
Shen Cheng's eyes were wide with anger. If it weren't for so many people present, he would have slapped this prodigal girl.
Shen Xiaoyan looked at Shen Cheng and sneered, then said, "My family? I just said, I said these were seeds bought by Zheng Wei, and they have nothing to do with you."
After speaking, Shen Xiaoyan no longer looked at Shen Cheng but turned to Bai Yonggui and said, "I know, after my husband and I offer the seeds, you must be thinking about what I want, or if I will make any unreasonable demands."
Shen Xiaoyan paused here, looking at Bai Yonggui and the others, and indeed saw that they were captivated by her words.
The corners of her lips turned up, and Shen Xiaoyan continued, "My request is very simple, which is to sever ties with Shen Cheng, and let his family stop bothering me from now on."
As soon as Shen Xiaoyan finished speaking, everyone froze. Shen Cheng's mouth dropped open in astonishment, and he looked at Shen Xiaoyan in disbelief.
Xu shi was the first to react. She stood up abruptly, pointed at Shen Xiaoyan, and said sharply, "You unfilial daughter, do you know what you're saying? With your words just now, you'll go to jail. You want to make money and cut ties with us? Dream on."
After speaking, Xu shi looked at Shen Xiaoyan triumphantly. In her opinion, Shen Xiaoyan was still an immature girl. Before she got married, she worked at home all day and definitely knew nothing about the laws.
Shen Cheng also reacted at this moment. He strode up to Shen Xiaoyan and raised his hand as if to slap her, but was stopped by Zheng Wei, who was standing beside her.
Although Zheng Wei could stop his hand, he couldn't stop his mouth.
Shen Cheng spat fiercely and said, "Shen Xiaoyan, I gave birth to you and raised you. Now that you have money, you want to kick me aside. I'm telling you, you're dreaming. You are extremely unfilial. I will report you to the authorities."
In the Great Chu Dynasty, filial piety was paramount. Parents could report unfilial children to the authorities.
Shen Xiaoyan, however, was completely unfazed. She didn't even look at Shen Cheng's ugly face. She pulled Shen Cheng and walked in front of Bai Yonggui, kneeling down with a thud.
"Village Chief, esteemed elders, I believe you all know the situation of the Shen family. My birth mother passed away after giving birth to Xiaoming, and my father remarried the year after. I raised Xiaoming myself. Moreover, from the time my mother passed away until I got married, I did all the household chores. After Xiaoming could walk, he also started helping with housework..."